Plum tree named Suplumfortyfive

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct plum tree variety,  Prunus salicina , cv. ‘Suplumfortyfive’ is characterized by early ripening fruit that has dark greyed-purple skin and red flesh, is high in sugar, has low acidity, is very juicy and has mild flavor.

LATIN NAME OF THE GENUS AND SPECIES CLAIMED

Prunus salicina

VARIETY DENOMINATION

‘Suplumfortyfive’

BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to the discovery and asexual propagation of a newand distinct variety of plum, Prunus salicina cv. ‘Suplumfortyfive’. Thenew variety was first originated by hybridized in June 2004 by Terry A.Bacon as breeder number: ‘PL878RB’.

The new variety ‘Suplumfortyfive’ is characterized by early ripening, adark greyed-purple skin with red flesh, and fruit that is high in sugarand has low acidity. The fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfortyfive’ isalso very juicy and has a mild flavor.

The seed parent is ‘Suplumeleven’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,902), and thepollen parent is unknown, being from a bulk of pollen from four plumvarieties. The parent varieties were first crossed in March 2001, withthe date of first sowing being January 2002, and the date of firstflowering being March 2003. The new plum variety ‘Suplumfortyfive’ wasfirst asexually propagated by Terry Bacon near Wasco, Kern County,Calif. in January 2002 by budding.

The new variety ‘Suplumfortyfive’ is distinguished from its seed parentin that the harvest of the new variety starts June 11 while the harvestof the seed parent ‘Suplumeleven’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 4,902) startsJuly 1^(st).

The new variety ‘Suplumfortyfive’ ripens at a similar time to ‘EarlyQueen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,583) but the fruit of the new variety‘Suplumfortyfive’ has a red flesh compared to the amber flesh of thefruit of ‘Early Queen’ (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 8,583). The new variety‘Suplumfortyfive’ ripens at the same time as ‘Black Splendor’(unpatented) but the fruit of the new variety ‘Suplumfortyfive’ has amild skin compared to the tart-bitter skin on ‘Black Splendor’(unpatented) when firm-mature.

The new variety ‘Suplumfortyfive’ has been shown to maintain itsdistinguishing characteristics through successive asexual propagationsby, for example, budding.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE PHOTOGRAPH

The accompanying color photographic illustration shows typical specimensof the foliage and fruit of the present new plum variety‘Suplumfortyfive’. The illustration shows the upper and lower surface ofthe leaves, a view of the fruit as a whole, and a sectional view of afruit divided across its suture plane to show flesh color, pit cavityand the stone remaining in place. The photographic illustration wastaken shortly after being picked and the colors are as nearly true as isreasonably possible in a color representation of this type.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Throughout this specification, color names beginning with a small lettersignify that the name of that color, as used in common speech is aptlydescriptive. Color names beginning with a capital letter designatevalues based upon the R.H.S. Colour Chart published by The RoyalHorticultural Society, London, England, 1986.

The descriptive matter which follows pertains to

year old ‘Suplumfortyfive’ plants, grown in the vicinity of Wasco, KernCounty, Calif., during 2013, and is believed to apply to plants of thevariety grown under similar conditions of soil and climate elsewhere.

-   Tree:    -   -   General.—(Measurements taken on an            year old tree unless otherwise noted.). Size: Medium.            Spread: Approximately 3-5 meters. Vigor: Vigorous, about 2 m            in height the first growing season. Growth: Semi-upright.            Productivity: Productive. Form: Vase formed. Bearer:            Regular. Fertility: Unknown. Canopy Density: Medium.            Hardiness: Hardy in all fruit growing areas of California.            Winter chilling requirement is approximately 600 hours at or            below 7.2 C. Disease Resistance/Susceptibility: Under close            observation in Kern County, Calif., no particular            plant/fruit disease resistance/susceptibility has been            observed. Insect Resistance/Susceptibility: Under close            observation in Kern County, Calif., no particular            plant/fruit insect resistance/susceptibility has been            observed.        -   Trunk.—(Measurements at approximately 30 cm above soil line            on mature tree). Diameter: Approximately 20 cm, it varies            with soil type, fertility, climatic conditions and cultural            practices. Texture: Medium shaggy, increases with age of            tree. Trunk color: About Medium Grey-Brown 199B to Dark            Brown 200B; becomes darker with age.        -   Branches.—(Measurements at approximately 90 cm above soil            line.). Size: Diameter approximately 9 cm. Texture: Smooth            on first year wood, increasing in roughness with tree age.            Color: Varying from about Medium Grey-Brown 198B to Dark            Brown 200B. Lenticels: Present.        -   Lenticels.—Number: Numerous. Density: Varies with tree vigor            and climatic conditions, about 2/cm². Color: About Medium            Grey-Brown 199B. Size: Medium. Length: 3 mm. Width: 2 mm.        -   Flowering shoots.—(Data taken in July at mid-point of            current season growth.). Size: Average diameter            approximately 5 mm. Color: Topside: About Medium Green 139A            to Medium Greyed-Purple 185B. Underside: About Medium Green            139A. Internode Length: Medium; approximately 3 cm. Midway            on flowering shoot. Flowering Shoot Lenticels: Moderate            amount. Color: About Medium Grey-Brown 199B. Diameter:            Approximately 1 mm. Flowering Shoot Leaf Buds: Shape:            Obovate. Width: Approximately 1.5 mm. Length: Approximately            2.1 mm. Color: About Dark Greyed-Orange 177A. Flowering            Shoot Flower Buds: Shape: Elliptic. Width: Approximately            1 mm. Length: Approximately 1.8 mm. Color: About Dark            Greyed-Orange 177A. Number of buds per node: Usually 2.            Density of buds: Medium. Flower bud distribution: on spurs            and one year old shoots. Ratio of wood (leaf) buds to            flowering buds: 1/2 on nodes. Anthocyanin intensity: None or            very slight. Spurs length: Medium. Vegetative bud size:            Medium. Position of vegetative bud in relation to shoot:            Slightly held out.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaves.—(Data taken in July on fully expanded leaves at            mid-point of the current season growth). Size: Medium.            Average length: Medium; approximately 75 mm. Average width:            Medium; approximately 45 mm. Thickness: Medium. Color: Upper            surface: About Dark Green 135A. Lower surface: About Medium            Green 135C. Form: Broad obovate. Tip: Cuspidate. Base:            V-shaped. Margin: Crenate. Venation: Pinately net veined.            Vein Color: About Light Green 135D. Surface Texture: Smooth.            Leaf blade (Ratio of length to width): slightly elongated            Shape in the cross section: Flat. Angle at apex: Small.            Profile: Flat. Leaf blade tip: Slightly curved downward.            Angle of tip: Acute. Undulation of margin: Slight.            Glossiness of upper side: Medium. Density of pubescence of            lower side: Sparse. Position of nectaries: Predominantly on            petiole.        -   Petiole.—Average Length: Medium; approximately 10 mm.            Average Diameter: Approximately 2 mm. Color: About Light            Green 135D with red highlights, about Medium Greyed-Purple            185B, where there is more light exposure.        -   Stipules.—Number/Leaf bud: Approximately 1 per leaf bud when            present. Typical length: Approximately 3 mm. Color: About            Medium Greyed-Orange 164B. Persistence: Falls off.        -   Leaf glands.—Form: Globose. Average Number: Usually 2.            Position: On petiole, alternate. Average Size: Medium;            approximately 0.7 mm by 07.mm. Color: About Medium            Grey-Brown 199B.-   Flowers:    -   -   General.—Flower Blooming Period: First bloom: Approximately            February 24. Full bloom: Approximately February 28. Location            of first bloom: Older wood. Location of full bloom: Uniform            throughout the canopy. Time of bloom: Medium. Duration of            Bloom: Medium; approximately 12 days. Diameter of fully            opened flower: Medium, approximately 10 mm. Flower aroma:            Very slight. Shape: Rosaceous.        -   Peduncle.—Length: Medium; approximately 10 mm. Diameter:            Medium; approximately 1 mm. Color: About Medium Yellow-Green            144B. Pubescence: Absent.        -   Petals.—Number: 5. Arrangement: Overlapping slightly.            Length: Approximately 12 mm. Diameter: Approximately 10 mm.            Shape: Obovate. Apex Shape: Rounded. Base Shape: Narrows at            point of attachment. Color of inner and outer surface:            white. Surface Texture: Smooth. Margins: Slightly            undulating. Frequency of flowers with double petals: None.            Size: Medium, approximately 10mm width. Claw length: Medium.            Margin waviness: Medium. Base angle: Narrow. Division of            upper margin: Entire. Pubescence of inner surface: Absent.            Pubescence of outer surface: Absent.        -   Sepals.—Number: 5. Length: Approximately 3 mm. Diameter:            Approximately 2 mm. Shape: Triangular. Color: About Medium            Yellow-Green 144A. Surface Texture: Smooth. Margins: Entire.            Positioning: Adpressed to petals. Pubescence of inner            surface: Absent. Pubescence of outer surface: Absent.            Frequency of flowers with double sepals: None.        -   Stamens.—Number: Ranges from about 20 to 30, averages 25.            Average Length: About 7mm. Filament Color: white. Anther            Color: About Medium Greyed-Orange 167A after starting to            dry. Flower Pollen Color: About Light Greyed-Orange163C when            first opened. Position: Perigynous.        -   Pistil.—Number: Usually one. Average Length: Approximately            9 mm. Ovary Diameter: Approximately 0.5 mm. Pubescence:            None. Stigma Extension in Comparison to Anthers: Level or            slightly above anthers. Style Frequency of Supplementary            Pistils: Absent.        -   Flower-buds.—Hardiness: Hardy in central San Joaquin Valley,            Calif. Size: Medium. Length: Medium. Shape: Pointed.            Positioning: Slightly free. Pubescence: Absent. Color: About            Dark Greyed-Orange 177A.        -   Receptacle.—Depth: Medium Pubescence of inner surface:            Absent. Pubescence of outer surface: Absent.-   Fruit:    -   -   General.—(Description taken near Wasco, Kern County, Calif.            on Jun. 15, 2013). Date of first pick: Approximately            June 11. Date of last pick: Approximately June 21. Maturity            when described: Firm. Season Ripening: Early. Position of            maximum diameter: Towards the middle. Symmetry about the            suture: Symmetric. Shape of base: Rounded.        -   Size.—Length (Stem End to Apex): Approximately 55 mm.            Diameter in Line with Suture Plane: Approximately 55 mm.            Diameter Perpendicular to Suture Plane: Approximately 60 mm.            Average Weight: Approximately 128 gm.        -   Form.—Viewed from Apex: Round, symmetrical. Viewed from            Side, Facing Suture: Rounded, with high shoulders. Viewed            from Side, Perpendicular to Suture: Rounded.        -   Apex shape.—Flattened.        -   Apex base.—Rounded.        -   Fruit stem cavity.—Shape: Flaring. Depth: Medium;            Approximately 8 mm. Breadth: Approximately 8 mm. Width:            Medium.        -   Fruit stem.—Length: Medium; approximately 8 mm. Diameter:            Approximately 2 mm. Color: About Medium Green 143C.            Adherence to Stone: Medium.        -   Fruit skin.—Thickness: Medium. Adherence to Flesh: Medium.            Surface Texture: Medium. Pubescence: None. Bloom: Slight.            Ground color: Not visible. Overcolor: About Dark            Greyed-Purple 187A. Relative area of overcolor: Large.            Pattern of overcolor: Solid flush only. Taste: Mild.            Reticulation: Slight. Roughness: Absent. Tenacity: Tenacious            to flesh. Tendency to crack: Slight.        -   Flesh.—Ripens: Evenly. Texture: Crisp-juicy. Fibers: Medium.            Flavor: Mild. Brix: Approximately 18°. Juice: Abundant to            moderate. Aroma: Slight. Color: Ranges from about Medium Red            46C to white. Anthocyanin color around stone: Strongly            expressed. Anthocyanin color of flesh: Strongly expressed.            Amygdalin: Wanting. Acidity: Low. Sugar content: High.            Eating quality: Good. Stone/Flesh Ratio: About 1/30.            Firmness: Medium.        -   Pit cavity size.—Length: Approximately 18 mm. Diameter            perpendicular to Suture Plane: Approximately 15 mm. Diameter            in line with Suture: Approximately 9 mm. Color: About Medium            Red 46C.        -   Fruit use.—Fresh market.        -   Fruit shipping and keeping quality.—Good.        -   Stone.—Stone Freeness: Cling. Degree of Adherence to Flesh:            Medium. Stone Size: Size: Medium Size compared to Fruit:            Small. Length: Medium, approximately 18 mm. Diameter in line            with suture plan: Approximately 15 mm. Diameter            perpendicular to suture plane: Approximately 9 mm. Width of            Stalk End: Medium, Approximately 4 mm. Angle of Stalk end:            Right angle. Hilum: Oval. Stone Form Viewed from side:            Nearly ovoid. Viewed from ventral end: Flattened,            symmetrical. Viewed from Stem end: Flattened, symmetrical.            Stone Shape: Base shape: Nearly straight. Apex shape:            Rounded with small sharp point. Stone Surface: Slightly            smooth to irregular. Stone Halves: Nearly symmetrical. Stone            Ridges: Rounded, continuous. Stone Outgrowing Keel:            Well-developed. Stone Tendency to Split: Almost none. Stone            Color: About Medium Greyed-Orange 164A to Light            Greyed-Orange 164C when dried. Position of maximum: Middle.            Sides: Nearly equal. Pits: Shallow, not well developed.            Fibers: Parts from flesh smoothly. Ventrical Edge: Medium.            Dorsal Edge: Narrow. Ground color: Not visible. Overcolor:            Very large. Pattern of overcolor: None.        -   Suture.—Line: Shallow.        -   Ventral surfaces.—Lips: Nearly equal. Depression of Apex:            Indistinct. Pistil base: Not persistent. Pubescence at apex:            Absent.        -   Pistil point.—Shape: Flattened.

What is claimed is:
 1. A new and distinct plum tree as herein describedand illustrated.